newby airline passengers looking for suggestions

[mamabearof4]

we are no strangers to parks (members of ACE-American Coaster Enthusiasts), but usually drive so I'm used to A. having a cooler full of food/drinks and not eating much park food, B. ability to go back to van to get more sunscreen, drinks, change of clothes (to get rid of/add sweatshirts, tshirt, tank top)etc. C. not having to worry about how much to pack. but this time we're flying so I'm looking for some suggestions---
here's some additional info if it helps:
we're staying 5 nights/6 days- 1st night CB, 2nd night HRH to take advantage of express passes, then back to CB. (crazy I know, but works for what we wanted LOL) We bought seasonal AP's cuz we're outside of blackout dates.


1. should we try to get away with just carry on luggage? flying Southwest that allows 2 free checked bags, but wasn't sure I wanted to deal with baggage claim. although I have considered taking a checked bag and packing a bunch of non-perishable food in it to save on meal costs once at Universal, and then we'd have x-tra room for souvenirs then we also could pack full bottles of sunscreen instead of just the 3 oz rule for carry on.

2. Best way to get from CB to HRH (with luggage)? (early as possible in morning so we can check in to get our express passes)

3. once at parks---should we maybe bring a small backpack that we can put in all day locker to access additional sunscreen/ change of shirt? We usually wear cargo shorts/waist packs to avoid the locker issue at rides (yes I know about the 3 we won't be allowed to do this)

4. restaurants---are there options "off site" that are within walking distance? or should we just plan on eating at parks/citywalk/ hotels?

Thanks in advance for suggestions. This vacation will be a completely different travel experience than what we're used to.

 

[imprint]

1. We fly Southwest to MCO, and we take advantage of the free checked bags. We know we're coming back with more than we left with, so we have an empty bag for souvenirs. We also have an empty bag or two for dirty clothes. Makes it easier for us during the stay to simply put dirty clothes in a designated bag. Our carryon bags just have essential medicine and entertainment for the plane ride.

2. No experience. Maybe the on-site town cars or maybe Uber?

3. We usually just take necessities in the park (APs, EPs, room keys, driver's license, credit card, and cash), but occasionally we take a backpack. We don't use the all-day lockers, though. We just wear the backpack and stow it in the ride lockers.

4. I don't know of anything off-site that is within walking distance. We eat in the parks, hotels, and City Walk. I imagine Uber would be your best bet to go off-site.

Have fun!

 

[janicept]

1. When it gets closer to time to go just pack your carry on bags and if you don't have room for everything you want you'll have to check a bag. You can easily buy extra sunscreen anywhere in FL. If you take a cab from the airport just ask them to stop at a convenience/drug store real quick to buy soda and sunscreen. Since you're onsite you can just go back to the room instead of to the parking lot like you did with a vehicle.

2. You can take Universal transportation for free or get a taxi. I would call ahead to the concierge at HRH if you're worried about it - just tell them your plans, that's what they're there for. Once I accidentally stayed past 2 am at HRH lounge and the boats had stopped. One of the valets drove me to RPR so I wouldn't have to walk back at night. No charge.

3. I personally don't carry anything I can't take on all rides. If you plan to take a camera or phone it won't matter since you will have to get a locker anyway. I would just use the free lockers if you need them since you will have EPs you won't have to worry about going over the free time limit.

4. I wouldn't consider any offsite restaurants walking distance unless you really like to walk. There are plenty of dining options for all budgets at the park/CityWalk to not worry about this. You wouldn't save any money getting a taxi to a restaurant either. They have Moe's, Burger King, and Panda Express at top of the world food court in CityWalk. We really like Moe's and the burritos are huge. If it's the same as last time I stayed at RPR you will get a large number of fliers for delivery places - mainly pizza. I remember one year they had a deal for like three pizzas for a great price so we ordered those.

Remember the parks close fairly early most of the year so you'll have time at night to walk around CityWalk. I would eat lunch in the parks then dinner at a hotel or CityWalk. With your EPs and early entry you'll be able to ride everything multiple times.

 

[Kivara]

Just a thought...we carry a backpack for sunscreen, water, etc. That way there's just one things to chuck into a free locker when needed. We find that's much easier than going back to an all day locker & having to empty pockets at lockers. JMO Have a fun trip!

 

[jagafen]

we are no strangers to parks (members of ACE-American Coaster Enthusiasts), but usually drive so I'm used to A. having a cooler full of food/drinks and not eating much park food, B. ability to go back to van to get more sunscreen, drinks, change of clothes (to get rid of/add sweatshirts, tshirt, tank top)etc. C. not having to worry about how much to pack. but this time we're flying so I'm looking for some suggestions---
here's some additional info if it helps:
we're staying 5 nights/6 days- 1st night CB, 2nd night HRH to take advantage of express passes, then back to CB. (crazy I know, but works for what we wanted LOL) We bought seasonal AP's cuz we're outside of blackout dates.


1. should we try to get away with just carry on luggage? flying Southwest that allows 2 free checked bags, but wasn't sure I wanted to deal with baggage claim. although I have considered taking a checked bag and packing a bunch of non-perishable food in it to save on meal costs once at Universal, and then we'd have x-tra room for souvenirs then we also could pack full bottles of sunscreen instead of just the 3 oz rule for carry on.

2. Best way to get from CB to HRH (with luggage)? (early as possible in morning so we can check in to get our express passes)

3. once at parks---should we maybe bring a small backpack that we can put in all day locker to access additional sunscreen/ change of shirt? We usually wear cargo shorts/waist packs to avoid the locker issue at rides (yes I know about the 3 we won't be allowed to do this)

4. restaurants---are there options "off site" that are within walking distance? or should we just plan on eating at parks/citywalk/ hotels?

Thanks in advance for suggestions. This vacation will be a completely different travel experience than what we're used to.

1. It's feasible, especially if you're planning on picking up extra sunscreen either on the way, or at the resorts. Also, consider the time of year you're going. We go in the summer, and usually take 2 changes of clothes for each day, just due to the sweat factor. When we come back mid-day, we usually freshen up a bit and change. So for us, we're bag checkers. But I have done a 5 day trip with just a carryon and a backpack under different traveling circumstances. I do like the idea of packing food and flying it down and then having an empty bag for the return trip.

2. I'd do Uber.

3. I carry a crossbody Vera Bradley purse for sunscreen and Epi Pen...a smallish bag would still be big enough to hold a couple of shirts (assuming it's just the two of you). But honestly, If I was staying onsite, we'd go back to the hotel for a break and change then. We don't do open to close park days in the FL heat.

4. Again, when staying onsite, we don't venture off-on purpose. There are plenty of options between hotels and citywalk.

 

[elaine amj]

If u want to bring more stuff, just check your bags. Picking up bags really doesn't take much additional time. Southwest is fast at unloading and I usually only have time for a restroom break and wait maybe 5+ mins after that for my bags to show. Plus its kinda nice not lugging lots of carry on bags through the airport and on and off the plane.

Aince u are onsite, just go back to HRH to change, etc. Its a pretty nice perk to stretch out in the AC in your quiet hotel room before going back to the parks. U can also grab a quick shower to refresh before changing.

I've done the van thing at parks and it works, but it is pretty luxurious to do it in your onsite hotel room. Might as well enjoy the perks, right?

2 days of express passes is plenty for a very relaxing trip. Especially since can leave all the non-express pass eligible rides (like the 2 big Potter rides), shows, and rides with no lines for your other days. Although its also simple to fit at least one go on each Potter ride if u don't want to wait. I found Universal in general closes pretty early, so its easy to hit the pool after park closing.

 

[bumbershoot]

1. should we try to get away with just carry on luggage? flying Southwest that allows 2 free checked bags, but wasn't sure I wanted to deal with baggage claim. although I have considered taking a checked bag and packing a bunch of non-perishable food in it to save on meal costs once at Universal, and then we'd have x-tra room for souvenirs then we also could pack full bottles of sunscreen instead of just the 3 oz rule for carry on.

I see no need to go carryon only. I've never found MCO baggage claim to be a problem.

If you want to bring a bunch of things in a bag, do. Or rent a car for a day! Go crazy.

3. once at parks---should we maybe bring a small backpack that we can put in all day locker to access additional sunscreen/ change of shirt? We usually wear cargo shorts/waist packs to avoid the locker issue at rides (yes I know about the 3 we won't be allowed to do this)

Cannot even imagine doing that. Bring what you need, stash it in a free locker when you need to. Carry a plastic bag to put your bag into when on the water rides (no free lockers at the water rides). Have fun.

We bring water, snacks, sunscreen in one or two backpacks and have maybe had 5 minutes of momentary hassle a couple times with lockers. Not enough to make me walk 15 minutes back and forth to a paid locker multiple times a day.

Picking up bags really doesn't take much additional time.

Agreed. MCO is big and involves that monorail. Get off the plane, stop at the restrooms to freshen up. If you're us you change into shorts/skirt and other shoes, too. Walk to monorail thing, wait, get on, ride, get off, figure out where you need to go. Get to carousels and usually our bags are either already circling or are about to come out. Then it's on to the transportation (we always rent a car for a universal trip and most WDW trips)!


I'm not interested in walking to any food places around Uni, but we have a rental car for all or most of the trip so we have made our grocery stops and then will go wherever we want to go offsite. We like heading to Sweet Tomatoes if we're in the mood for salad bar and pasta buffet, or Yard House for veggie "wings" (they also have meat), etc.

 

[Squirlz]

We went for 8 nights last December, but it turned into 10 with a weather issue. We only took carry on, packed light, and did laundry half way through are stay. The machines at RPR tell you exactly how long they will run.

 

[bethwc101]

So with Universal can you not carry a small bag on rides? Like a purse size, just enough for phones and a wallet?

 

[elaine amj]

So with Universal can you not carry a small bag on rides? Like a purse size, just enough for phones and a wallet?

There are a few (maybe 3 or 4?) rides where you cannot even bring your phone (they use a metal detector). They provide free lockers at those rides. You're fine with a small purse at many of the other rides. I ended up just using a lanyard with a zippered compartment for my phone. I would tuck it into my shirt for rides with a no bag policy that didn't do the metal detector. For the ones with metal detector, I would put it in the locker.

EDIT: oops - don't know why i had xray machines stuck in my head! Thanks for the correction

 

[schumigirl]

So with Universal can you not carry a small bag on rides? Like a purse size, just enough for phones and a wallet?

It's a metal detector you go through at the 3 main rides, not an X-Ray machine.......RRR, Hulk and Dragon Challenge.......so anything in pockets such as coins, phones etc will set off the metal detector. No bags of any kind on these rides, but you can wear your lanyard and tuck it in to your top......we do this all the time. Lockers aren't usually as bad as they can be made out to be.

Other rides I always have a Kipling Multiple waist pack........it has a 3 print clasp to close and they do insist on that........it's a decent size and can hold a fair bit. I wear that on every other ride in the park with the exception of Dr Doom........before you get in that ride there is a place for you to put hats, bags etc.......and flip flops can be left on the floor......no one comes in to that area while you're flying up.